# Rock with karstic properties near to the surface A thematic map of the Atlas of Switzerland, the national atlas published by ETH Zurich. The map is drawn in the browser; this file describes it and lists its variants and links, but not the data values shown on the map. - Map: https://atlasderschweiz.ch/en/theme/rock-with-karstic-properties-near-to-the-surface/ - Short title: Karst near to the surface - Map id: 106 - Categories: Nature and Environment › Geology and raw materials › Caves and karstic processes - Keywords: Geology, Hydrology, Rocks - Published: 2016-05-13 - Last revised: 2022-02-03 - Content language: English - Other languages: [Deutsch](https://atlasderschweiz.ch/de/thema/oberflaechennahe-verkarstungsfaehige-gesteine.md), [Français](https://atlasderschweiz.ch/fr/theme/roches-proches-de-la-surface-susceptibles-de-se-karstifier.md), [Italiano](https://atlasderschweiz.ch/it/tema/rocce-superficiali-suscettibili-di-carsificare.md) ## Description The name karst was the original name for the sterile, hilly country in Slovenia to the east of Trieste. Today, the term is used internationally for landscapes which present the following special characteristics: far-reaching loss of surface water in the karst region, large springs on the edge of the region and the presence of caves. The necessary conditions for karst are: - water-soluble rocks such as carbonates (limestone, dolomite) or gypsum - water, both for dissolving and carrying away the dissolved material - relief, so that the water can flow - time, much time is necessary. Pure water can only dissolve a small amount of limestone, as opposed to water that has been exposed to air or carbon dioxide by flowing through soil. This water is acidic and, therefore, aggressive to limestone. In mountains with a limestone basement exist so-called karstic furrows. These are numerous channels and grooves formed over many thousands of years which demonstrate the dissolving power of water. The Dolinen are a relatively widespread karstic phenomenon of sinkholes varying in diameter from several to one hundred metres. There are also many karst regions characterised by a complete lack of such surface water flow in which the structures mentioned above are not present or completely hidden by thick vegetation. Where are the karst regions in Switzerland located? As shown on the map, they are mostly located in regions near the Jura Mountains and in the (northern) Alps. The total surface area is about 7900 km² (Jura 2700 km², Alpd 5200 km²), and corresponds to 19% of Swiss territory. This value is clearly less than the European average value of 29%. ## Sources - Wildberger & Preiswerk (1997): Karst und Höhlen in der Schweiz. Basel: Speleo Projects ## Data sources - Wildberger, A. & Preiswerk, Ch. , (1997): [Karst und Höhlen der Schweiz](http://www.speleo.ch,%20http://www.sgh.ch) - Wildberger & Preiswerk (1997): Karst und Höhlen in der Schweiz. Basel: Speleo Projects ## Data owners - [Swiss Institute of Speleology and Karst Research (ISSKA)](http://www.isska.ch/index.php/fr/) - [Swiss Society for Speleology (SSS)](http://www.speleosecours.ch/de/) ## Citation The terms of use ask to name the Atlas of Switzerland and the data owners, and to keep the source references in exports, screenshots and embeds. Cite the map as: > Atlas of Switzerland (2022): Rock with karstic properties near to the surface. ETH Zürich. Map data © ISSKA, SSS. https://atlasderschweiz.ch/en/theme/rock-with-karstic-properties-near-to-the-surface/ ## Links The map opens at its full extent; a link cannot set the map position. - Map: https://atlasderschweiz.ch/en/theme/rock-with-karstic-properties-near-to-the-surface/ - Short link, stays valid when the title changes: https://atlasderschweiz.ch/en/t/106/ - Side by side with another map: https://atlasderschweiz.ch/en/comparison/?lt=106&rt={id of the other map}&ru={u of the other map, or leave out} Embed in another website (allowed by the terms of use, as long as the source references stay visible): ```html ``` In the embed URL, `dm` sets what is shown: `e` the map with its title bar (default), `p` also the values of an object clicked on the map, `m` only the map with a button that opens it in the atlas. `ig=1` (default) lets the map react to scrolling and dragging only after a click into it, `ig=0` right away. The size can be changed in `style`. ## Maps to compare with - [Genesis: origin of rocks](https://atlasderschweiz.ch/en/theme/genesis-origin-of-rocks.md) (id 167) - [Mean water permeability of the soil](https://atlasderschweiz.ch/en/theme/mean-water-permeability-of-the-soil.md) (id 253) - [Chronostratigraphy: age of rocks](https://atlasderschweiz.ch/en/theme/chronostratigraphy-age-of-rocks.md) (id 164) - [Classification of rocks](https://atlasderschweiz.ch/en/theme/classification-of-rocks.md) (id 353) For the use and citation of maps and data, see the [terms of use](https://atlasderschweiz.ch/en/terms-of-use/).